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Planning and failing

I don’t know who said this, but this quote has made a lot of sense to me, since the time I first heard it from my ex-boss. The quote is deceptively simple and yet packs a lot of wisdom in a few words.

Here are some not-so-random thoughts on planning:

A plan is somewhat like a map. It tells you where you’re going and if you’re off track. It makes a great deal of sense to have a plan.

However, planning is not something that most people do very well, especially in the software industry. I’ve found that asking someone for a plan is like asking them to have their teeth pulled. They resist (and so do I sometimes) and will do it only when push comes to shove.

Planning may be considered by some as time wasted as well, especially when you’ve got to start showing results. As in, I don’t have the time to plan.

Some people don’t know how to plan their work.

I can’t recall one class during my education that’s taught planning. Or estimating for that matter. Maybe that explains the relationship most people have to planning.